Heartbreaking Stories of Domestic Violence on Baek Jong-won's Les Misérables

The recent episode of ENA's reality show Baek Jong-won's Les Misérables (백종원의 레미제라블) aired on December 14, 2024, and featured poignant stories from participants who have suffered from domestic violence. During the team mission titled 'Creating a Seafood Feast,' the first elimination took place, intensifying the competition among contestants who were desperate to avoid being sent home.

With only two hours to complete their dishes, participants faced the challenge of selecting two types of seafood caught the previous day and preparing a meal within the time limit. The pressure was on, especially since the quicker they finished, the better their chances of gaining an advantage.

Acknowledging that some contestants were inexperienced in cooking, the show's focus was on 'storytelling' as a key judging criterion, emphasizing the importance of marketing in the culinary world. Baek Jong-won stated, "At this stage, the emphasis on taste is relatively low. The foundation of marketing is storytelling. You need to engage customers and show that you've thought about your ingredients."

Among the contestants, D-team leader Jo Do-yeon stood out for his dedication, remaining at the kitchen until 6 AM even after his team members had left. He shared his personal struggles, revealing, "I am the youngest of four siblings, but I have been the head of the family for the past ten years. My father has been an alcoholic since I was young, and there was a lot of domestic violence. It was terrifying. My sister was severely beaten, and she often felt her life was in danger, which led to her running away from home. I have lived for my mother, and responsibility is paramount to me. I have never acted irresponsibly in my work."

C-team leader Lim Young-jun also shared his painful past, stating, "I have never had a good experience with my father. I heard he was a gang leader. He rarely came home, but when he did, he would drink and abuse my mother. There was a time when my mother came home with her face so bruised that I couldn't recognize her. I was so angry that I told her, 'Don't worry, Mom, I'll kill Dad.' I want to dedicate my life to making my mother happy and ultimately want to become a real business owner because I find joy in running a business."

Despite Jo Do-yeon's efforts, D-team was ultimately chosen as the losing team. Baek Jong-won expressed his disappointment, stating, "In starting a business, the most important thing is not cooking skills but having accurate information about the food you sell. We live in an age where a library is at our fingertips with just a smartphone. You need to study the ingredients you are selling." He emphasized the importance of continuous learning, sharing that he studies for 2-3 hours daily, stating, "You must study for a lifetime."